Google announced their flagship Nexus S phone just 24 hours ago and now that we have all had a night to sleep on it I’m curious how many people out there have decided that they want to buy it.

A good portion of Nexus One owners were disappointed at what the Nexus S lacks, but you can still make a case that it will be the best phone on the market when it goes on sale at Best Buy on December 16th. It will be the first device to feature Android 2.3 and being part of the Nexus family means that users will always have the latest software updates in a timely manner (example: Nexus One to get 2.3 in the next few weeks).

The biggest complaints so far about the Nexus S have been the lack of a dual-core processor, no 4G support, no expandable storage, no LED notification light, and it’s only available for T-Mobile in the United States. Some of those features may seem trivial, but a good portion of our readers have indicated they want 4G support and a dual-core processor in their next superphone.

So the choice is pretty simple – do you want a phone with the latest software or the latest hardware? Google would argue that the Nexus S has both, but we all know that its hardware will feel slightly dated after LG and Motorola announce their dual-core phones in a matter of weeks (Jan. 5th at CES).

As for me, I will be in line at Best Buy on day one to pick up the Nexus S – but that’s my job to check it out. It looks like it will be an awesome phone, but I doubt I’m ready to give up the 4G speeds and QWERTY keyboard on my T-Mobile G2. Believe it or not, I think the next upcoming phone I’m most excited for is the LG Star.

Taylor is the founder of Android and Me. He resides in Dallas and carries the Samsung Galaxy S 4 and HTC One as his daily devices. Ask him a question on Twitter or Google+ and he is likely to respond. | Ethics statement

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http://Website AC

I’ll be getting since it’s the only Stock Gingerbread phone available to buy. Despite all these “dual-core” phones arriving soon, people are underestimating the Hummingbird processor, it still has a superiour GPU than the Tegra 2.

http://androidandme.com Taylor Wimberly

The PowerVR SGX540 GPU in the Hummingbird is awesome, but none of us really know how the Tegra 2 will perform inside an actual Gingerbread phone. I have a strong feeling that the first wave of Tegra 2 phones will easily outperform anything that is currently available.

http://Website jdog25

Truthfully how many people bought phones like the Motorola Cliq so sales don’t mean its the best Android phone and you should already know that. I am 100% sure that it won’t sale that much but it will be a very good phone, Phandroid did a poll the other day and 85% out of 1,000 people said software was the most important thing in Android, I agree. Personally I don’t know yet if I will consider this phone a real upgrade to my Nexus One but the way things are with Android and manufacturers I can’t think of any other stock phone coming any time soon. The free tethering is a big plus for me, you could save $360/year easy without having to root your phone.

http://Website teleknEsis

I can tell you how the Tegra2 runs in FroYo on the G-Tablet and that is INSANELY WELL (but you already knew that, didn’t you). Tegra2 FTW! There is absolutely no way I would pay any $$ for a device that does not have dual-core CPU, no HSPA+ support, and no SD card. Nexus S FTL!

jivemaster

I am first in line for a Nexus S. I’m not sure what people are waiting for. This is Google’s phone for the next 11-12 months like the N1 was. Great support, great features. It uses the top tier hardware available to date. Best screen in the industry, best CPU, best GPU in a phone. Sure it’s no dual-core, but that disappointment is purely a consequence of the stupid rumours that have plagued this device since its conception.

This will be what the Galaxy S should have been. Great hardware fully controlled by Google.

For heavens sake, the SGX540 is a truly epic GPU, and vastly more powerful than the 535 found in the iphone and ipad. Apple’s devices run great games, and the Nexus S trumps both devices with its power. Sure we’ve seen it before in the Galaxy S, but the Galaxy S is a pure Samsung phone, crippled by it’s unoptimised OS, practically no support is given to it, the poor thing is still waiting for froyo in most of America. Because of this, we have not seen the true power of the hummingbird. That is until now. And it will be glorious.

The Nexus S is not last gen. It’s current gen. It just missed the dual-core boat. And people are fixated on it.

This very website said it was hard to believe that the Nexus S could be released with a dual-core, but plenty of other websites/blogs went nuts reporting the release setback was due to a dual-core upgrade. Everyone got set on the rumours and when this was released there was nothing but disappointment.

People are too busy thinking what the Nexus S could have been.

It’s silly really. Dual core is not ready. Dual core is not supported in any android revision to date, honeycomb may change this, but I highly doubt the upcoming tegra phones will sport honeycomb on release, or anytime soon after release. That’s being delusional. Manufacturers have taken so long to release these tegra phones, and these manufacturers are catastrophically slow with updates. I’ll be surprised frankly if they ship with gingerbread.

Good luck getting your updates on these tegra phones in a timely manner.

Tegra is unbelievably powerful, no question, but in the hands of device manufacturers I think performance will vary greatly – device manufacturers tend to throw in great hardware and then cripple it with absolutely shocking OS revisions and software optimisation.

You’re guaranteed a lot of great optimisation with the Nexus S, but not with other products.

You really only have the LG Star and Motorola Olympus to choose from if you want tegra, and they were running froyo when we last saw them. The LG Star just looks horrible as far as build quality is concerned and video demo’s show it lag, and the Olympus is a AT&T phone, so if you hate that network you’re screwed on that front.

Plus remember both with be nowhere as hackable as the Nexus S, which will see huge dev support just as the N1 before it. You’ll be lucky if these tegra phones get any decent root access. Motorola loves the efuse concept. It’s crackable but it will never have the simplicity of the Nexus S.

And lastly, who doesn’t want the phone that developers are developing their stuff on? The Nexus S is THE benchmark for all future android phone applications. You’re guaranteed that apps will run as the developer intended on the Nexus S over any other phone in the Android ecosystem.

Embrace this phone and give it a damn chance. Google deserves that much.

http://Website DVNO

AMEN!

http://Website mindo

Yepp

californiakidd1

Wow.. GREAT comment. :)

http://Website Droid

Very well said!

http://Website Reply

I love your input, couldn’t have said it better my self. but why no HSPA+???

http://Website CeZ

When u put it in comparison with galaxy S, well u are right. But that’s not really a competition isnt it?

Try Desire HD, Boom!

http://vitriolix.com vitriolix

That is pretty wise. There will always be something better on the horizon, so you should always make your decision on whats available now. I’d really like a keyboarded version of this, an unlocked, unbranded stock Epic 4G.

http://Website Kimbo

Sure, it’s still a really nice phone with a speedy processor, but there will be phones out very soon that are both faster AND are “4G” (e.g. HSPA+). Single core is acceptable, but single core and 3G only… no, sorry.

http://Website jdog25

I agree that is bothering me also but look at how many people are only getting on average 5mbps with their Mytouch 4G’s and EVO’s, I also get that speed everyday with my Nexus One so I don’t think it really matters if your on T-mobile because your still going to get fast speeds.

http://Website AC

The problem is, I don’t live in the us 4G doesn’t really affect me

http://Website metafor

I’m not sure why there is so much geek lust over the GPU component considering the most popular games are Angry Birds and the like.

I prefer dual-core for the simple reason that the OS is less likely to lock up due to the Dalvik runtime deciding to throw a fritz. A UI that is smooth during transitions doesn’t need a whole lot of GPU power (as WP7 proves) but not having one locked thread hickup your entire screen is a lot more likely with either a multi-threaded processor (like Atom) or a dual-core design.

http://Website Usman

Sounds like Garbage Collector should help keep DVM issues in check though… I don’t see how a dual core processor would fix a software issue.

http://Website metafor

It helps hide the software issue. Which, while unfortunate, is the case for a lot of programs.

blankit

umm dude you are seriously wrong with this one man dual cores are better because of battery efficiency and speed!

http://Website LZ

What is the GPU in the Tegra 2?

http://Website Steffen

I don’t know, I can’t justify spending $529 on a phone twice in one year. Therefore I’ll probably have to wait till next year, and by that time there might be something crazy awesome out. Maybe they’ll release a Nexus Two and and Nexus Tablet when they release Honeycomb.

All that being said, I’m sick of the Nexus One’s touch screen so I might have to purchase it haha. The Nexus S supports jazzhands. (Androids software support for multiple touch points (up to 5 I think)) Which will make many games much more playable, without all the axis switching you get with the outdated sensors in the Nexus One.

http://Website TTe

Exactly why i’m in line for the Nexus S. The touchscreen in the N1 is driving me nuts. Hopefully, while folks are still fixated on the ‘build quality’ of the Nexus 1, I can sell it for a grip and use the extra cash towards this purchase :-).
Oh yeah, Samsung my be plastic-ky on the outside but I am really beginning to detest HTC for the shitty touchscreen used in the N1 (And then they proceed to use same on the G2 too!!!!).

Noice

No HSPA+ or Bluetooth 3, no way.

Would have ordered one already if it had these.

I live in a HSPA+ city, have a T-Mobile Contract and am eligible for a new phone – but the lack of these features makes me unable to even contemplate this phone. I was waiting for it, but now will just wait to see if they make the dual-core version feature complete.

http://Website Craig

I’m hoping that if we root this phone we can get HSPA+ on it. Much like the Nexus One was able to once I rooted that. Is it simply that the radio won’t support it? Or to start it’s not supported?
The processor won’t stop me from buying this phone, but the lack of HSPA+ will.

http://Website Usman

LOL for you thinking you got HSPA+ on your Nexus One by rooting it! Bwahahahahahahaha!

http://Website darcy

then maybe i can get froyo on my blackberry by rooting

http://Website wondercoolguy

Nexus One was the phone that set the stand for all of 2010 phones including the Nexus S still are being built with similar stats. The Nexus S should have been dual core, 4g, etc…..

http://harmelody.com chris johnston

I have been waiting for a stock android phone to make me trade in my g1. this is it. I’m sure better phones will come out in the first quarter next year, but I just cant take the risk that any of them will run stock android.

http://Website zedklind

honestly, my two year contract is worth more than 8 month old hardware with a little bit of muscle(nfc and ffc). getting the vibrant on ebay for 125 no contract and putting 2.3 on it when the devs push it.

http://Website Pauly D

If you’re coming from a G1 then the Nexus S will knock your socks off. Unfortunately a lot of us are coming from similar hardware to the NS where there isn’t much of an upgrade like yours is going to be.

I definitely recommend you take a serious look at the Nexus S.

http://Website krokiller

Sprey but I think You’ve forgot to put “it’s not better than my Nexus One also that plastic look and Samsung logo doesn’t fit in Google Phone image in my head” option in the poll.

http://Website Don Boogie

Nobody has a dual-core phone on the market now, so I don’t see how people can complain about not having one. The lack of expandable storage and 4G support, however is unforgiveable IMO. I’ll gladly stick with the Mytouch 4G for now, I don’t see the Nexus S being any better than that.

http://Website Ltown

If I had to buy a phone this month then the nexus s would be it. But since I already have the N1 I have no reason to upgrade to this. Dual core and/or hspa+ would have made me want this. I hope the rumored dual core version is true because I definitely want another nexus device

http://Website Nate

I still hoping for real successor of the Nexus One that will outperform the current phones and will set the stadards regarding hardware (Dual Core, higher resolution….) for the entire next year like the Nexus One did.

Nearly every current phone is basically based on the N1: 1GHz CPU, 512MB RAM, 8**x480 resolution. I know the hardware of the Galaxy S´s or G2/MT4G is better but not MUCH better.

And I hope that this device will be build by HTC ;)

http://Website Blest

I’m not buying that phone. Not much of an upgrade from my Sexy Nexy (nexus 1). Another 530?
paaaaass. And I just got a 32gb card from sandisk. No way in hell am I wasting it.

http://Website Peter

If it comes to Sweden, I surely would like to get one. I have an HTC Magic right now (running CM6.1) and would like a phone with better specs but also with updates from Google. Was tempted by the Nexus One earlier but didn’t really like the design. The Nexus S looks better imho and might just be my next phone, if Google/Samsung will release it in Sweden soon enough.

http://Website Riper

Just buy it from best buy in the US! That’s what I would do. Cheaper and much sooner.

From sweden myself

eaddict

Until US Cellular gets it I don’t think so. And before anyway syays anything, USCC is the only cell company that I can get reception where I live (not counting AT&T who get NO MORE of my money).

http://Website Usman

Can’t blame you one bit for not wanting to go with AT&T.

http://Website SSA

Seriously no 4G means I may as well be buying a cell phone with a dial up modem. This is 2010 (almost 11) and everyone has 4G like speeds. How do you release a flagship phone that doesn’t have the latest wireless communications technology. Its simply a smaller net book at this point.

Why oh why did you not include HSPA+. Was it Samsungs fault, I’ll boycott them forever out of principal.

Was it Google’s fault? I swear I’ll dump my Gmail account!

Was it Tmobile fault? I swear I’ll go to Big Red (Not the one in the basement of a club in Providence)

I would really like to know who the fool is that made this decision, I pity you!

http://Website Dr. Oid

Hey Taylor! Will the Nexus S come pre installed with swype???

http://Website MC

The CPU is fast enough for me, but no indicator light and no 3G bands for the big 3 in Canada is a deal breaker.

http://Website TTe

Crap… Forgot about the indicator light. Anybody know if they got any other indicators on the front of the phone for notifications? That might be the deal breaker for me too.

http://Website mikevo

Why doesn’t Google develop a super phone that you can take to any carrier? I’d pay more that the almost $300 after case and car charger (chargers, broke the 1st) for my Evo. No contract just place the order through Google and they ship you the phone with the carriers radio(s) installed. Then call your carrier once you get it. If Apple was smart they would do that with the iPhone.

http://Website Usman

Contrary to popular belief..though this has been discussed ad nauseum after VZW and Sprint renegging on the Nexus One.. the CARRIERS control what handset runs on their network. If Google released a Nexus device in CDMA flavor, neither Sprint nor VZW would allow it on their network.

http://Website mikevo

I know they do but there’s no way around this. I sat on a palm treo for over 3 years and the only phones that peaked my interest were he Evo and iPhone. No way in heck I’d switch to AT&T. So I chose the Evo cuz I won’t leave Sprint. Been with them over 8 years. At least I can assume the Evo will get gingerbread then hopefully honeycomb seeing the way they are handling the epic (its going to take almost 5 months for them to get froyo) proves that the Evo is their flagship devise.

http://Website RM

All of you assholes have this wrong, there is HSPA support, and expendable storage……..
google.com/nexus

no expandable storage at all, just the 16GB internal, which is most likely laid out the same as the galaxy s phones. 2GB for apps, 13GB for storage.

There is HSPA, but not HSPA+ which is t-mobiles 4G. HSPA gets 7.2Mbps down, HSPA+ can get 22Mbps or higher.

http://Website bagok

Even if Nexus S had HSPA+ and you actually do get the 22Mbps advertised, you’ll get data throttled so fast….7.2Mbps has been fast enough for me on my MTS3G slide (avg 4Mbps).

http://Website Nick

As a Verizon customer with an outdated Blackberry 9630 I’ve been waiting for an Android phone that I can buy and live with for more than 6 months without regretting my purchase. All of the phones currently out are great, don’t get me wrong. But the Droid 2 launched and about a month or two later the Droid 2 Global replaced it. I understand the way technology works; I buy something cutting edge now and it’s outdated as soon as I leave the store. But for a college student $200 is a lot to spend I can’t afford to feel like I was cheated seconds after a purchase.

With iOS you get a new phone every year, and people know what to expect. With Android, which I want to switch to, about four different companies put something amazing out every few months. I will forever be with this crappy Blackberry because I can’t make myself spend money on something that is eclipsed by something else a few weeks later.

This is why I feel bad for people buying the Nexus S. Dual core technology is weeks away and yet the Nexus S lacks one. In my opinion, these people will feel cheated very soon after their purchase because of the hardware right around the corner.

I love the idea of a dual core setup but I’d also love the vanilla Android that the Nexus S would give me…

I need Verizon to give me a dual core, possibly LTE capable (not a priority), vanilla Android phone with at least a 3.7″ screen for me to be happy. No Blur, no TouchWiz, no Sense, no Bing, no LG skin that may or may not exist…

Maybe I’m asking too much as a consumer, but I’m not the only one, right?

http://Website Usman

You’re totally not asking too much as a consumer man..but you need to forget about asking and DEMAND what you want. The only thing corporations understand is DOLLARS. So vote with your wallet. Go where they’re giving you what you want and make sure to let the place you’re leaving know why.

http://Website jdog25

That would make sense since on T-mobile you can get pretty fast speeds but on Verizon the Nexus S would have to have LTE to be as fast as T-mobile’s 3G/4G.

http://Website Jose

How about adding- No I already have the phone of my dreams AKA G2! haha G2 ftw! screw samsung!

http://Website Greg

I have a Nexus One and I was set to get the Nexus S. After hearing it was single-core, I second-guessed myself but still thought I’d get it. But no HSPA+? Shouldn’t all high-end T-Mobile phones be HSPA+ now? Isn’t that the point of having “America’s largest ’4G’ network?”

Why would any power user (i.e., most people on this site) want this phone? Network speed, in my opinion, trumps basically all other factors.

Lame.

http://Website Westy

Do you really feel that bogged down with the 3G you are getting now? I mean im pretty happy with my 3G speeds. I would like to have had 4G speeds but its not a deal breaker for me.

http://Website metafor

I’m on AT&T’s 3G right now. Yes, I know, it’s AT&T but even at times when I’m getting great 3G signal (roughly 3 mbps), it’s still not enough to fire up Netflix or youtube HD and get video that isn’t noticeably blocky and compressed.

Hence, I am anxious for LTE and other fast networks.

http://Website Usman

Same point I was trying to make in a couple threads yesterday. The HSPA+ really isn’t that big a deal.

I’ve played ad nauseum with my GF’s G2 and my N1 side by side in an HSPA+ area. Her speedtests bested mine be a few mbps consistently. But the real test, everyday browsing, was only marginally faster on the G2, and I think that was because of her processor more than the HSPA+ connectivity.

http://Website Greg

No, I don’t feel “bogged down,” but your logic sucks. If I only ever worried about things that bogged me down, I wouldn’t even have an Android phone. The technology is out there, it’s the big thing everyone wants, and yet this supposed superphone isn’t even compatible with it.

Again, lame.

http://Website PhineasJW

Does anyone know if T-Mobile WiFi calling is included in the Nexus S?

[I realize Gingerbread has wider VOIP support now, but I'm specifically wondering if the T-Mobile implementation that links with your current phone number is available.]

http://Website alex

this phone is awesome but mytouch 4g for me :)

http://Website Prototype V

Only if they released a cdma version. Tired of my super phone always running on edge or worse

http://Website riper

CDMA is an old technology that will soon die. Let it rest..

http://Website Willywill82

CDMA, a dying technology? Then why is the nation’s largest carrier still continuing to improve their existing CDMA 1xRTT/EVDO network to as a backbone for their 4G LTE? Sure, CDMA may not be the future per se, but necessarily a “dying” technology that should be laid to rest? Not really.

http://plankhead.com Zacqary Adam Green

You know, every one of us, every moment of our lives, are actually dying. Feel that? You just got a little bit closer to death while reading this.

There. It happened again. You’re dying right now, as we speak. It’s morbid. It’s terrifying. And worst of all, it’s absolutely inevitable. There is nothing you can do to avoid your impending death, which is now closer than it was when you began reading this comment.

Anyway, the point I’m trying to make is that CDMA is absolutely a dying technology.

http://Website Arron

What I am wondering is if the next samsung dual core S phone will be a nexus phone, or will it have touch wiz over top along with the bloatware?

http://Website Usman

I’ll bet a hundy spot it’s got Crapwiz.

http://Website Westy

Imma get it. I switch phones often anyways and I still really only want the Nexus Series of phones. I love my N1 but the multi-touch issue drove me nuts.

-lack of a dual-core processor – This was a let down huge but i think i will live. I just dont see the dual core taking off till like late Q2 – Q3 2011. The vast amount of android phone owners are stuck with their phones and developers cant past them with software their current phones cant handle. By the time it takes off ill be ready to get the next Nexus series phone

no 4G support – this stung a bit too but ehhh im happy with what i have now

no expandable storage – I was planning on maxing out at 16GBs anyways

no LED notification light – Will be missed but again i will live

it’s only available for T-Mobile in the United States – N1 came out on T-Mo and im still a T-Mo customer. I think T-Mo is the only company that is willing to let Google do what they want with the phone. Also lets remember the phone has to come out GSM first so they can get it out to everyones else in the world so i dont think we will ever see a Nexus Series phone launched on Sprint or Verizon on day one. AT&T is too strict to let Google have full control of a phone. Just my opinion.

http://Website riper

What do you mean by
“it’s only available for T-Mobile in the United States” ? Do you mean “it’s only T-Mobile that will offer it subsidized together with a plan?”

Couldn’t anyone just buy Nexus S from Best Buy (from Dec 16th) and then sign up for a plan with an arbitrary operator in the US?

http://Website Maximus

Although disappointed in the lack of HSDPA+ support and Dual Core Processor speed

These arent Deal-breakers for me

I missed out on the N1 due to my inability to give up BBM on the black berry, however i am at the point now where it isnt a factor

I plan to buy the NS Unlocked at Full price as it being recently i just bought the Bold 9700 3 or 4 months ago and am not eligible for an upgrade on Tmobile’s network lol

What would suck is if i purchase the NS full price then as it has been rumored a Dual Core version gets announced a few months afterwards smh

I get the feeling this version was Rushed out to meet the holiday Deadline but that there is a Dual Core version wasnt ready for consumption

Thats the only fear i have….then its back to the store to get the Dual Core version if such an announcement is ever made lol

http://www.lifequill.com Canterrain

It’s easy to forget the difference in countries.

In the states it’s not so easy to just buy a phone made for one company then take it to another.

For instance, of the three largest cell phone carriers in the U.S., Two of them (the largest and third largest) use CDMA technology.

I saw you say in another post that CDMA would die soon, but it won’t. Not in the states. The benefits of CDMA is mostly in its penetration, it’s ability to travel further. The U.S. is a very large country (compared to most european countries), so that reach is very beneficial to nationwide carriers.

But CDMA IS harder to jump from one carrier to another, what with there being no sim card, etc.

Even in the case of the Nexus S, yes you could theoretically get it, unlock it, then take it to another GSM carrier. But that’s not necessarily a good idea still. Because the 3G radios aren’t always compatible for instance.

If you take the Nexus S to ATT, the states’ second largest carrier (and a GSM carrier), you won’t even get 3G speeds. You will be stuck on edge.

These kinds of things aren’t necessarily a large deal for Americans. We generally don’t NEED to switch carriers because we have choices that cover the area we will be in the vast majority of the time. Most Americans don’t live on the border of other countries using other carriers. So sim switching just isn’t a priority or necessity.

Penetration is.

Nathan

This is gonna be really long, and no one will probably read it but here it goes.

The Nexus S is not perfect, nor is it everything we hoped it would be, but it’s no where near as bad as many people are making it out to be.

Regardless of your feelings on samsung, the Galaxy S phones are by far the best android devices currently out. But they run touchwiz, and outdated versions of android.

The Nexus S takes that amazing device and brings what most of us want, Pure Google. Being that it comes from the Galaxy S, it’s lacking certain things. No 4G, and no dual core are also a bit of a hit as well.

But lets look at the reality here. The Nexus One is outdated, phones like the Evo, Galaxy S, G2, and MT4G all beat it. Google wanted a new device and they wanted it to be the most powerful one on the market, and thats what the Nexus S is. A galaxy s with stock android and the fastest android phone you can buy.

No 4G? okay, kinda sucks, t-mobile just started their 4g a month ago so it’s slightly understandable. And how many of you are seriously that upset that your only going to get 7.2Mbps down instead of 22+? i’ve been going just fine on a nexus one with 2Mbps down and i don’t complain.

Hell when i could my G1 T-Mobile didn’t even have 3G in my area, for 6 months i was using that thing on edge.

And that comes to my next point, T-Mobile. Yeah these dual core phones are amazing. but where are they going? Verizon and Sprint. NOT T-mobile. Honestly i’d be down right amazed if t-mobile has a dual core phone before october 2011. And then it’ll probably just be the Galaxy S2.

I’m on T-Mobile, and i have no plans of leaving so if your like me then the Nexus S is a damn good deal for you if you want stock android and don’t like the G2 for whatever reason.

And even though these dual core phones are being announced at CES, they probably won’t be released until late summer if not winter next year. And also keep in mind that unless google adds true dual core support to android, they’re going to be kinda useless. Kinda like running a 32 bit OS on a 64Bit machine. not to mention it’ll take app developers even longer to add dual core support as well. So right there i see no reason to get a dual core phone in 2011. Better to wait until 2012 and things are ironed out a bit more.

Then you have the no SD card slot and no LED, both of which suck. but 16Gb internal should be more than enough for most people, and the noled app will fix the no led issues.

For me, i most likely be getting the Nexus S, though not until i get some hands on time at my local best buy and test it out for a while.

My reasoning is my own, but for one, i’m sick of having phones that basically require a custom rom to function properly. On my Nexus one i have 200MB for apps, so i need an Apps2EXT script, then if i want to color the trackball i need a custom rom so i go for cyanogen. All these little things that require a custom rom, and even when custom roms are stable, they still have issues. For as good as a rom is, it’s not the same as pure google software.

Hell on CM6 my camera would force close about 30% of the time, i would even get force closes in the phone app when i had an incoming call sometimes. Sometimes it got so bad to the point where my parents and girlfriend would get so pissed at me over the fact that the phone would be screwing up.

So for me, i see the Nexus S as a device that i can leave truly stock, i’ll root it obviously for the torch and some theming but i’ll be leaving stock on and not have to worry about running out of space for apps or random apps not working.

anyway, thats my feelings on it.

http://mytabletlife.com Naterade

I agree with your entire post except the last part. My Nexus One has color trackball and torch, and I’ve never roted it. Android 2.2 added the API’s to allow Apps to access that stuff. Mine is completely stock and has no problems with the exception of small amount of internal memory for Apps, that gets annoying quick. I feel I will need some hands on with the Nexus S to persuade me as well because as of right now I’m completely satisfied with my N1.

http://Website AceoStar

“And even though these dual core phones are being announced at CES, they probably won’t be released until late summer if not winter next year. ”

I really hope that’s not the case. Some of these phones go from rumor to shelves in less than a month, I’m really hoping the dual cores do the same.

http://Website Josh

Nexus one outdated??? You mentioned 4 handsets. How many handsets have been released in 2010? The N1 is great for me, 1ghz processor, froyo (soon to be gingerbread), and I have no need for rooting my phone. I’m happy with stock android personally, my phone hasn’t had any problems so far and I’m getting great download speeds. So I’ll be waiting for a dual-core HSPA+ phone personally.

Nathan

@Naterade: At the time when i got my Nexus S it was the only way to do it, back with 2.1. even with those being able to be done with stock, just as you said, the lack of space for apps kills. basically the only reason why i’m still running cyanogen.

@AceoStar: It would be awesome if they do, but unless google built dual core support into gingerbread and didn’t tell us, they can release all the dual core phones they want, but they won’t do anything. we’ll have to wait and see but i really doubt anything will be out before summer.

@Josh: just like computers phones are being outdated the second you buy them now pretty much. Obviously specs wise the N1 is still a very good phone, and it’s being updated to gingerbread which is awesome. and if you don’t need the extra space for apps then thats awesome for you. For someone like myself who has no room left at all in the phone (15MB free before apps2ext) 2GB storage for apps is a gift from god.

And for anything 3d the newer processors in the Galaxy S, G2 blow the N1 away. My dads vibrant runs pretty much any 3d game at 30+FPS with no lag at all. My N1 is usually 15-20 FPS with lots of lag. Maybe it’s due to CM6, but then another reason for wanting to get the Nexus S, to keep it stock.

MitchRapp81

why buy a copy of the Nexus One with minor improvements 11 months after the Nexus One came out … when you can wait 1-2 months and get a nice dual-core Tegra 2

I’ll wait until the dual-cores come out. Especially the LTE phones on Verizon. I am also eying that LG Star which looks to run stock Android as well and is dual core.

T-MOBILE has been decent but their 3G coverage is really existent outdoors only unless you are within a block of a tower. Verizon LTE will be at the lowest possible frequency with excellent indoor coverage.

We just have to see what the price will be.

http://Website John

Not even close to accurate. This is not 2006 anymore. Read consumer reports, JD Powers, or one of the 2000 studies done in 2010. Verizon’s coverage stranglehold is gone. T-Mobile holds up in every major market besting in quite a few.

http://Website JD

I’m buying it, full price. That way, when I inevitably want the next big thing in about 8 months, I can sell it for a good bit of my next phones price.

Anyone want my sexy nexy? It’s in great condition, and by great, I mean flawless. Also rooted, with CM 6.1

http://Website A-Droid

My biggest complaint is that it’s Samsung…

http://mytabletlife.com Naterade

As dumb as this sounds, I think the biggest loss for me is the removal of the secondary noise canceling mic. I don’t know about everyone else but on a crowded noisy downtown campus that helps out a great deal to the person talking to you on the phone. I’l also miss the build quality of the N1, I mean Google had their hand in the development process with HTC from the ground up. I might wait until next year to weigh my options, but some hands-on time might change my mind.

I am not buying any new Android-based phones (I have N1 currently) until they mature to pentafrequency 3G chips, so that I can get fast internet connection no matter where in the world I am. Nokia is the only manufacturer who has it now.

http://Website Levi

If you want large participation in your polls, write questions that fit every possible person. I would buy the Nexus S if it was available for AT&T 3G as the Nexus One (which I have), though if an iPhone 5 came out that was unlocked, I’d consider that. If you were me, what would you pick of these three options? I am, indeed looking for a different Android phone but not with next gen features. In fact, all I ask for is a slight combination of what my Nexus One (UMTS 850/1900/2100) knows and what the Nexus S knows. So I am sticking to my current phone (wait, that is not an option). And if you want to bring the iPhone in this, I am not gonna buy an iPhone until I can get it unlocked (a nice feat of the Nexus family) as I travel to Europe a lot and use local 3G phone service there as well. Leave the complicated crap out of your polls… For example:

Yes, I want the most advanced Android phone that always has the latest software updates
I was thinking of upgrading but the Nexus S does not have the right specs
I would upgrade but will not go to T-Mobile or AT&T without 3G
I want to upgrade but I don’t have the money
I still prefer my current phone (which is not an iPhone)
I prefer my iPhone better

islander

I’m hoping that the Nexus S will be like the Samsung Vibrant on T-mobile. The Vibrant has one of ATTs 3G antenna’s and you can get ATT 3G with it. If that is true with the Nexus S, I will probably trade up from my N1. It *is* irritating to hear that there is no expandable storage.

Speed requirements for 4G service set the peak download speed at 100Mbit/s for high mobility devices (such as cellphones) and 1 Gbit/s for low mobility devices (such as standalone wireless modems).

Pre-4G technologies such as mobile WiMAX and first-release 3G Long term evolution (LTE) have been available on the market since 2006 and 2009 respectively.

http://Website bala

I was wondering y there are no news from HTC, they are also going to come up with a good phones, hope they will..

http://www.squide.com squide

Will be getting a Nexus S, then once the dual-core phones come out I’ll have them duke-it-out. Dream phone atm would be dual core, removable storage, 8MP+ camera, HDMI, front-facing camera, 4G, and headphone jack. LG Star maybe? Support Android yall!

http://Website Tony

no SD card support means no sale for me. i use a 32GB microSD in my Nexus One. 16GB is not enough for my usage.

http://Website onthecouchagain

Taylor, if what you reported about the Google/Samsung scrapping the single-core Nexus S for the dual-core is true; that dual-core Nexus S prototypes were out in the wild during testing (and now we know failed and Google/Sam went with single-core for Gingerbread), what happens to the prototypes?

Will they be scrapped altogether, or is there a chance it’ll eventually become a “true” Nexus 2, with dual-core, “4G” capabilities, up-to-date bluetooth/720HD recording, expandable SD card, etc.?

Rumors are starting already at Phandroid (on their main page) that Verizon may get a LTE version of the Nexus S.

Planning to shed some light?

http://Website Tim

I am very happy with my Nexus One and will get Gingerbread. I don’t see a reason for me to upgrade right now. I’ll wait for a dual core I guess because no need to spend money on something that I think is only a slight improvement over my current phone.

http://Website Giraldo

I would have been all over this phone. The lack of 4G is not bothering me at this point. The 4G coverage, performance, and pricing should be better in 2 years.

First, it’s on T-Mobile. I’m not sure how phone manufacturers and carriers interact but it would need to be on at least Verizon or AT&T.

Second the single core. I might as well just buy a used Nexus One on ebay. I mean the only thing this has that is better is a front-facing camera, but with 3G connectivity, this can be very limited.

Dual-core and on my carrier would have put this in my pocket and tossed my iPhone 4 to the side. I’m on AT&T, which isn’t bad in Chicago. But they are seriously lacking Android support. Now I just to look forward to the Motorola Olympus (sounds like that cheap camera) with their slow OS updates and the new Blackberry (which may come out soon after their PlayBook).

http://Website gad

Can’t justify paying over £500 for a phone,maybe a tablet,but not a phone.And more so am waiting for what HTC has in store for next year

http://Website Alex

I will absolutely be picking up a device next Thrusday. We can site here and rant about how other phones will come out with better technology, but isn’t that always the case?

I don’t mind about the tegra 2, because my honeycomb tablet will have it and once I get my honeycomb tablet, it will be the device that I do most of the things I would do with my android phone. It will by no means replace it, but when I’m at school browsing the web for research/playing games, I’d like to think my tablet will take over that responsibility, leaving the texting/calling/music to my phone.

http://www.3for.tv 3fortv

When I upgrade my phone, I want it to be a quantum leap. When I went from a HERO to an EVO, it was ridiculously faster. Going from an EVO to a Nexus S wouldn’t be a large step up, and would (arguably) be a step down. I’m keeping my EVO until the “must-have-now-willing-to-break-my-contract-over-this” type of phone comes out.

http://Website donny

i just got my class 4 32gb so hell no on the vibrant 1.5….i mean nexus s

http://Website onthecouchagain

I want to like the Nexus S, but given the unfortunate decision of Google/Samsung to not optimize it for HSPA+ with Tmobile, which is being touted as “4G” and the direction they (and all carriers) are expanding into; given not necessarily the lack of a dual-core, but the fact that dual-cores will start coming as early as February 2011; given the lack of expandable microSD slot (again, a baffling decision when you consider one of the best things about Android devices is the ability to expand storage); given this strike against NFC, which is one of the [few] things that sets the Nexus S apart from the current market of phones (read about it at Androidpolice: “NFC in Gingerbread is Crippled!” Is NFC just a glorified Bar Code scanner?); and given the slew of other more minor but still detracting decisions (like no LED), I can’t validate spending $529 dollars for a new phone.

I am currently an owner of a Samsung Vibrant, so perhaps the similarities factor into my decision as well.

http://Website medwa

Although I’m looking forward to the dual-core era, I would still buy this phone if I were eligible for an upgrade when it’s released. My rural town will be without 4g speeds for a few years, so the lack of HSPA support does not bother me. Seeing all the bloatware that came with my Incredible, and the amount that is added to it on a semi-regular basis by big red, the fact that this phone will be bone stock is enough to make me pull out my wallet.

But considering I still have a year and a half until I am eligible for an upgrade, ill stick with my Incredible for now. It is more than capable of doing everything that I need it to do.

http://Website paul

Nexus 2 Yes Please but this Samsung no thanks, No FM Radio & No LED Notification, Google should have cone with HTC or Motorola But the needed superAmoled so had to go with Samsung which was a bad decision..

http://Website Maximus

As i stated earlier im coming from the RIM family and the Bold 9700

So at this point any of the High-End Android fans are leaps and bounds ahead of RIM and what there doing

I know Spec wise Nexus S could be so much more but i think its good entry Point to join the Android Family :)

Im looking forward to it

http://Website Casper

First I want to say, I love the articles here and this is but merely a constructive criticism.

In the poll, I am sure Nexus S is the assumed headset (of course) for the poll. But the wording is a bit skewed.

“Yes, I want an Android phone that always has the latest software updates”

This could easily mean the Nexus One as well, because I doubt it will be taken from Dev’s updates anytime within the next few month’s.

Merely an observation. Thanks guys for all that you do.

http://Website Casper

I am an idiot. Maybe if I read better I would have actually noticed the QUESTION of the poll. Haha, the wording in the answer A. merely threw me off.

This new phone looks great, but I’ll wait for expansion slots and higher connections speeds.

http://Website Casper

I will say this. It’s quite the hand tying slap in the face Samsung has done to developers if this is supposed to be the next “Dev Phone”… besides the obvious exclusion of the HSPA+ and dual core technology, the lack of expandable memory is near stomach churning.

16 gb is nice and all, but am I right in deducing this could cause issues for developers intending to use this phone for its niche purpose. Or at least its original purpose. If there is no expandable SD card memory, couldn’t this hinder the ability of the Dev to test and debug applications specifically in the area of running from the SD card or transferring apps to the SD card before mass sharing on the market. I know the SDK is the primary basis for creation, but why should a developer need to have multiple phones to carry out physical testing for such a basic and wide spread feature for even the mid level android devices.

Maybe I am just bitter from being punched with such an anticlimactic fist.

fernando nascimento

What happened? I expected a big revolution, and it appears another galaxy S !!!!!??
At this rate I’ll grow old without showing the expected smartphone.
I’m hoping the dual core and thereby bring a great revolution in everything else
However went public too timidly the new version of Android, associated with a smartphone
I think it’ll be another nexus one in two or three months is already outdated
It was better to have spared resources and to launch the product in its time that we are all waiting
I understand that it can be quest strategy for liquidating the old stock..

http://Website Brian

I see a lot of average users upgrading to this phone, through T-mobile. The power user is not going to put down good money to make a lateral move just for official Android 2.3. I want the newest version of Android too, but not at the expense of what I really want (2.3), verses what I actually want (a powerful mobile device).

http://Website Jorel Santana

Um….I already have this phone its called a vibrant………..just wait for xda developers to make Gingerbread Rom, and what with the No expandable SD slot??? Your suppose to improve the phone not gimp it.

http://Website Brendan

If it comes out in Canada with different bands like the n1, I would heavily consider it.

IHTCEvo

I still have the Evo and I want a HTC dual-core. :(

http://Website Ben Johnson. GA

I wait for iPhone 5!

sent from my iPhone 4

http://Website pax

Yeay….Me too.

http://Website DgDeBx

If Google really wants people to adopt their “pure” smartphone, a CDMA version needs to be available.

http://Website Willywill82

I totally agree. A CDMA phone with LTE for VZW folks, and WiMAX for us Sprint people. Throw in some expandable memory slot, an upgraded camera, and I’d definitely buy it. While a nice device, I think its target audience is very, very small. All my N1 having friends are planning on keeping them and not upgrading. I guess if you’re a T-Mobile person who’s not satisfied or interested in the G2 or MT4G, didn’t or couldn’t get a N1 when they dropped, and if you don’t mind the limited on board non-expandable storage, this is your thing. If you’re looking for a 4.3 inch screen, running 2.2, with an 8MP camera and 4G, then look no further than the HTC EVO 4G.

http://Website pax

No more Samsung for me. My Vibrant is already gone.

http://Website DonnDee

Gee those specs are great……….ummm but without the apps there is no point. Android has no games!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ZERO PEOPLE, ZERO PUSH APPS, NO NETFLIX……..GARBAGE OS GARBAGE PHONE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Without the apps whats the point?????? Samsung fascinate has the same exact specs ……ive had it since september and well new themes everyday aint gonna cut it its a joke. Android should go home…….the garbage!!!

http://Website Mr Steve J.

IPHONE 4EVA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://Website Shane

If I didnt just get an incredible, Id probably get this. I dont need more than 16 gigs. And even if you dont have a HSPA+ chip, you still take advantage of HSPA. wich is better than 3G. This phone looks amazing, and sadly, my DInc’s snapdragon is already looking pretty weak. This makes me sad. Two (or one) more year of a weak snapdragon. Next phone has to be either Hummingbird, or daul core. only for the battery.

jlwarlow

I’m getting a HTC Desire tomorrow. I liked the look of the Galaxy S, but not the price. I also like the Sense UI from HTC over the stock UI; of course my views may change by the end of tomorrow!

http://Website John

There is no doubt the device has left some things on the table and lacks pushing the medium truly forward but I still will be first in line to buy.

As for the flaws…

HSPA+ – A truly impressive technology that showcases itself best in Data Sticks. The advantage is the backwards compatibility with 3G phones. Sure you wont be getting 14 mbps down but my myTouch4G isn’t either. The truth is when I do get over 8 mbps and when I get only 4 the browsing experience is identical. Throw a T3 line on a 486 dx2 and you’ll understand. The processors just utilize that level of speed. So I will only miss it when downloading a podcast or movie. Not the end of the world. Ill take the consistant 6mbps and still be happy. T-Mobiles blanketing of HSPA+ has made every 3G phone in their line-up a ton better by default.

Internal Memory – Was going to throw a 16 gig in anyway. Don’t like it but not killing me.

Notification Lights – And now I am moving on to stuff that actually matters because this is truly nitpicking.

Flash – My biggest complaint. Makes no sense. Put it in Samsung.

Processor – iPhone, iPad, Nexus One, Galaxy line. Sure I would love dual core for exactly what I described above. But as long as it runs smooth, runs apps well, and doesn’t bog down is it world ending. We all want to be on the bleeding edge but as a MacBok Air or an iPhone taught us, the user experience matters more that the # associated with your processor.

Pros – I guess this is my simple buying reason. I use a myTouch 4G which rocks. I had a G2 before it, a Vibrant before that, and all proceeded by a Nexus One. If two weeks ago you offered me a Nexus One for my myTouch I probably would have said yes. It is a better phone? No I don’t think so. But phones for me are now all about software. I want the newest the fastest. And I don’t want to be bogged down with crap. The Nexus S will be the best phone on the market until May and June of next year. (Don’t kid yourself. Carriers won’t launch flagship products in Jan and Feb, not fiscally responsible.) So why not have something that just works and runs Android right until then? NFC is going to be a big technology over the next three years and this device pushes that technology into peoples hands.

It isn’t a game changer. But when the Nexus One was announced there were thousands of commenters on Blogs insulting that the Droid 1 was not far off and it wasn’t really blowing us away. This device isn’t about being out of this world hardware. It is about being very good hardware with excellent software and doing it in Google’s vision of Android. If you want straight specs grab a MT4G. Android offeres a ton of options. This one is for a different audience. It is the beauty of the platform.

I am buying one, but crap I buy a lot of phones so maybe I am a crappy judge.

californiakidd1

Good way to look at the positive side of things. :)

http://Website 5n4r35

Sure it doesn’t Have a dual-core cpu. But that doesn’t mean it won’t be faster than dual-core phones. Look at current Galaxy phones. You have a hummingbird CPU and you can only get 800-900 points on Quardrant. You put in the Lagfix and it jumps up to 2100-2200 points. Big difference. Sure its not the fault of the CPU that its slow but that’s my point. All becuase it hase a fast CPU doesn’t mean it will be faster or perform any better. There are a whole host of things, like say a poor filesystem, that can take a huge hit on the phone.

Another example look at the G-Tablet has a dual core cpu is super slow. Specs look pretty similar to what will be in next gen phones.

I just purchased the iPhone 4 i always dreamed of…Its so cute and gorgeous! I LOVE it!

*kisses and hug*

Susan

http://Website calledIT

HTC to take part on actual dual core Nexus phone (2011). “HTC and Samsung announce IP partnership with Intellectual Ventures”

http://Website thebearingedge

I wonder if dual-core phones will be more expensive… I still remember looking at AMD X2′s in 2005 and thinking WOOOOW! Awesome. But then, the software I used wasn’t multi-threaded until Core 2 Duos came out, destroying earlier generation CPUs. Plus, Core 2 duos were much cheaper than their predecessors.

Just saying: If you are waiting for dual-core you might also be wise to wait even longer until dual-core becomes the standard. You might not really be missing much when they first hit…it has happened

Nothing to write home about really and the features this has over the Nexus One and Desire are nothing to write home.

Apparently the NFC is only one way, so it’s basically a posh QR code scanner.

No SDCard slot and no LED notification? What about those like myself who like to use one device for their mobile and media needs?

I have 12GB of music, that’s 3/4 of the internal storage used before any applications and associated data gets installed onto the phone.

Add on top of that, it’s made by Samsung and will feel cheap and plastic – this phone for me is a disappointment. I like Android, and as an Englishman we don’t have 4G here so it’s not an issue. Yet can’t ignore the fact they’ve missed off important features like a removable SDCard and notification LED though. Other phones on the market have had these for years.

Susan – Typical woman, buying a phone because it looks cute. Get a grip love, or get back in the kitchen.

californiakidd1

This phone sounds great to me! I would love to get one, and probably will! The only thing I’m REALLY questioning is the “480p video”?? What’s up with that?? They say “HD video recording” in one place, then “720 x 480 video resolution” in another.. HOPEFULLY just a typo! ‘Cause man i want this.. If any one hears anything, feel free to speak! (type) :)

AR

I have an Android phone that I cannot upgrade for awhile from Verizon, so I cannot vote. :-) my vote would be: “I’m waiting for LTE and my upgrade time.”

http://Website J-Man

I’m so happy I bought my N1 and I will absolutely not buy the Nexus S. I mean, as it’s been pointed out by pretty much everyone (which I will reiterate):

- No dual-core. (The N1 pioneered the 1Ghz processor, so why not have the new Nexus phone do the same with a new technology; dual-core)

- No expandable memory. (I thought you were supposed to add to the norm, not deduct from it?)

- No 4G/4G-like speeds (OK, this is not really relevant to me, as I’m from the UK, but still why not implement something that’s brand new and will soon be the speed standard anyways?)

Why would I pay the same money as I did for my N1 just to get NFC (which I’ve never ever seen being offered anywhere); a front-facing camera (which I would never use, as I have Skype on my computer); and Gingerbread (which I will get in a few weeks on my N1 anyway)?

The N1 is still the developer standard, and I don’t think it’ll be dethroned that easily from that standard, as it was sold-out when it was offered to developers. Why would they pay again to get a similar phone with similar specs (albeit a tad better) when they just got their developer Nexus Ones which will get Gingerbread and any future updates as well?

So to make things short, no, I will not buy the NS, I’ll stick to my N1. :-)

MC

This thing is nothing more than a warmed-over Samsung Galaxy S – with FEWER capabilities! At least the, “S” is capable of HSPA+ or WiMax!
NOW, if Google priced this thing at an entry-level point, it might be tempting, but, even then I might just prefer the LG product, or, if LTE’ing in MetroPCS’ territory, either their rather sad offering now, or the Android model they’ll be offering very, very soon!

http://Website Andriodfox

Dual Core = Low Battery lifespan = higher price

It a trade off , depending what you want/need

I want to get Nexus S if it sell in my country Telco. Singtel you heard me….hee hee

The only issue I has with Nexus S is no memory slot

http://Website Brent

Well, I have my fingers crossed that when the Nexus S supports the AT&T, Rogers, Telus Bell, Sasktel frequency (with 850 Mhz HSPA+) that the phone might include Bluetooth 3.0, HSPA+. FM Radio, DNLA, notification LED, 720P recording (apparently not supported in Nexus S according to 1 review) and a Micro SD card. Ideally I would like all this an a 5 row qwerty keyboard, like the Epic 4G, but I guess I can’t ask for mirracles!

Jacobhfc

Is it worth it if i get this phone with AT&T? im on a xperia with 1.6 and im not getting my update anytime soon. i cant live with this phone anymore i need something new…idk if not having 3g will suck that bad though…help?

http://Website qwerty

Would you guys recommend getting the nexus s for someone who has never had an android phone before but develops on an emulator? I want to be first for updates, but the dual core cpu and 4g are kind of preventing me from getting it. I mean, I don’t mind getting it, and it will be my first android phone, but would you recommend it?

kilgoretrout

I don’t want to switch to t-mobile, and don’t want to pay the full unsubsidized price. I’ll look for a different phone.

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